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Speedy prospect Johnson visits White Sox

Speedy prospect Johnson visits White Sox

CHICAGO -- Micah Johnson sat in the U.S. Cellular Field home dugout that he hopes to occupy for many years to come.

On this warm Wednesday afternoon, Johnson was just a visitor.

The 15th-ranked prospect in the White Sox system according to MLB.com, received a plaque from general manager Rick Hahn and assistant general manager Buddy Bell commemorating his leading Minor League Baseball with 84 stolen bases this season. Johnson was named Most Valuable Player of the Southern League Championship Series, won by Double-A Birmingham in five games.

During the entire postseason, Johnson hit .368 with 12 runs, seven RBIs, seven walks and seven stolen bases, pushing his season total over 90.

"That's the first championship I've ever won ever. That was unbelievable," Johnson said. "I didn't know what to do. You know how the middle infielders go to second base after a regular win? I kind of did that. I didn't know to go to the dog pile.

"I wish it wouldn't have gone to five games. We were up, 2-0, but then that fifth game made it more fun actually. It was really intense."

Johnson will soon travel to Arizona for White Sox instructional league action and then move on to the Arizona Fall League on Oct. 8. He will continue refining his speed-based game that sometime in the next year or two should translate into something beneficial for the White Sox.

"When I got to Double-A at first, you are going to be nervous, obviously," said Johnson, who hit .312 in between stops at Birmingham, Class A Kannapolis and Class A Winston-Salem. "You think maybe your success was just because you are in the low levels.

"But I got there and stole like seven bases in the playoffs and got on base a lot, especially in the championship series. If I just stay to my approach, even at this level, I think it will translate just fine. Just get on base any way possible -- hit or error. Just don't worry about it. Get on base so I can score."

Scott Merkin is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Merk's Works, and follow him on Twitter @scottmerkin. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.